For most of us, drawing a tag for something like a Moose, Elk
or Caribou is a once in a lifetime experience. After paying for license fees,
lodging, travel costs, and (usually) a guide you may not feel so lucky to
have drawn a tag....

Added to these costs is the possible cost of a new gun suitable
for quarry to be hunted. Of course, we have all read the writers dating back
to Page and O'Connor extolling the virtues of the "all-around" calibers
like the .270 Win and venerable 30-06 as sutiable for "any game in North
Amercia". However, do you really want to handicap yourself on your hunt
of a lifetime?

The above is a plot from the free program you can run from the Norma website.
The program shows the following data for three premium factory cartridges
- 2 in 7mm Remington Magnum and a 30-06 load for comparison. The program provides
the following results at 250 yards:

7mm Mag Scirrocco 150 gr: Drop = 5.3 inches; Energy = 2360
ft-lbs

7mm Mag Vulcan 170 gr: Drop = 7.1 inches; Energy = 1999 ft-lbs

30-06 Alaskan 180 gr: Drop = 10.5 inches; Energy = 1420

These numbers speak for themselves. A 250 yard shot is not uncommon for elk,and
most shots for caribou will be longer. Look at the energy figures for the premium
30-06 load - about the same as for a 30-30 at 50 yards. Who would consider a
30-30 suitable for an animal the will dress out to several hundred pounds!
The comparison for the 300 Win Mag is even more dramatic. However, a gun
in that caliber is a real kicker and is more than most can handle.

A switchbarrel in 7mm Mag is a real option. You get the performance you need
but still get to go hunting with the same rifle you have been hunting deer with
rather than with a new unproven rifle. It is especially economical if you hunt
with a Savage - you can just change the bolt head rather than get a whole new
bolt to match the magnum cartridge head.